National
Dr KC ends 14th hunger strike
Dr Govinda KC, orthopaedic surgeon at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital who has staged a series of hunger strikes demanding reforms in the country’s medical education sector, broke his fourteenth fast on Saturday on the basis of an agreement reached with the government on Friday evening.Anuj Kumar Adhikari
Dr Govinda KC, orthopaedic surgeon at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital who has staged a series of hunger strikes demanding reforms in the country’s medical education sector, broke his fourteenth fast on Saturday on the basis of an agreement reached with the government on Friday evening.
Health Minister Deepak Bohara had signed the deal with Dr KC, on the fifth day of his hunger strike aimed primarily at judges who decided cases “in favour of the medical mafia”.
Dr KC ended his indefinite fast by drinking juice offered by Nathuniya Mochi, a cobbler based on the TUTH premises. According to the five-point deal, the government will form a committee within a week to give the Medical Education Commission its complete shape.
Also, based on the decision of the Supreme Court, the tenure of Dr Jagdish Prasad Agrawal, as the dean of the Institute of Medicine (IoM), TU, would be continued.
Other agreements include calling a meeting of the Tribhuvan University senate to take necessary steps to restore the rights and power of the IoM and to release necessary budget for funding reforms at the TU Teaching Hospital concerning infrastructure development, human resource management and public service.
The deal, however, remains silent on the resignation of Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli, the primary demand of Dr KC when he embarked on the fast on January 8.
It is learnt that since the SC has demanded original files on the controversy surrounding CJ Parajuli, both the sides agreed not to take up the matter related to the case sub judice in court.
Talking to journalists after breaking his fast, Dr KC, however, demanded resignation of CJ Parajuli, warning that he would start yet another fast-unto-death if the latter continued to hold office.
Dr KC has hurled charges against CJ Parajuli over the authenticity of his citizenship and School Leaving Certificate.
In Rukum on Friday, CJ Parajuli said he had already submitted his documents to the Parliamentary Hearing Special Committee and that he does not need to present them elsewhere.
Dr KC termed the “insensitive remarks”, at a time when the court has announced an enquiry into Parajuli’s citizenship and academic certificates, as “contempt of court”. At the press conference, the fasting doctor said he would stage another hunger strike if CJ Parajuli did not comply with the court’s ruling.
National Planning Commission Vice-chairman Swarnim Waglé and former NPC Vice-chair Govinda Pokhrel had accompanied Minister Bohara to the meeting with Dr KC on Friday night.
Dr KC was agitated by Parajuli’s decision to reinstate Dr Shashi Sharma as the IoM dean. When he made provocative statements against the ruling, the apex court ordered Dr KC’s arrest on the contempt charge right after he embarked on the fast.
Dr KC was released on January 10 following a huge backlash against the move. The court has scheduled another hearing on the case for February 20.